Self-preservation

Each one of us shares the same instinct for self-preservation. Our first instinct is to run away from danger in order to protect our own life and safety. We act purely on the instinct to stay away from harm or a dangerous situation or a situation that threatens our survival. We have learnt to be guided by our instinct for self-preservation in other areas of our life.

It’s human nature to want to be praised, feel appreciated or feel important in our standing in a particular field. It actually boils down to self-preservation, as it assures us that we are secure in our positions. People need to promote themselves to create awareness in others of what or who they are lest the people hold a low opinion of them. Some go to the extreme to exaggerate their self-importance while others lie.

Negative feelings when expressed in moderation are natural instincts of self-preservation. But irrational and prolonged destructive emotions are positively detrimental to the health of the human body. They disrupt normal mental and bodily functions.

The need for self-preservation gives rise to morality. For morality to be truly effective, it cannot be imposed forcibly against the will of any individual or group without their agreement.

We are gifted with reasonably good health. Our instinct of self-preservation ensures that we continue maintaining our health. Nature plays a part in that self-healing is a very important aspect of self-preservation. However, the continued onslaught of deadly diseases has raised our consciousness of the importance of self-preservation.

Men set off in fear and trepidation and make new discoveries. If we were to succumb easily to self-preservation, how much less progress would we have made in the scientific and other spheres. But intense feelings of self-preservation have prevented organ donors from contributing to the welfare of others despite the impermanent nature of the human body.

People with negative attitudes are aplenty. Self-preservation dictates that we have nothing to do with them. But it will be foolish to hate or be angry with them, or to react against them with other negative emotions. Harbouring negative feelings runs counter to self-preservation.

Man founded religions out of the need for self-preservation. Self-preservation was a reaction to man’s feelings of fear and insecurity.